Swinney capped off a historical season in 2018 as the Tigers finished 15–0, marking the first time a college team had done so since 1897. Clemson defeated #1 ranked Alabama 44–16 in the CFP National Championship. The Tigers recorded the most wins in a single season for Clemson. Freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw for 347 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Tigers’ rout of the Crimson Tide. The Tigers also defeated #3 Notre Dame 30–3 in the Cotton Bowl in the semifinals of the playoff. It was Clemson’s second national title in three years and the third in school history.